Can You Charge a Polarized Capacitor with a Van de Graaff Generator?

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SUMMARY

Charging a polarized capacitor with a Van de Graaff generator is not feasible due to the generator's output voltage exceeding the capacitor's breakdown voltage and the high leakage resistance. The Van de Graaff generator's positive terminal should connect to the insulated plate of a lab-type parallel plate capacitor, where polarity is less critical. However, for polarized capacitors, correct polarity is essential, and attempting to charge them with this generator is inadvisable.

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Uh, it's not clearly marked?
 
So this is a polarized capacitor? If so, then you cannot charge it with the Van de Graaff generator. The leakage resistance will be too great for the Van de Graaff. And even if it were not, the output voltage of the Van de Graaff would exceed the breakdown voltage of the capacitor. However, if you are trying to charge a lab type parallel plate capacitor, like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plattenkondensator_hg.jpg" one, then the polarity does not matter.

Edit: Well, yes it does matter, sort of. The top of the Van de Graaff should connect to the "insulated from ground" plate of the parallel plate capacitor.
 
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